Louisiana-Monroe dumps South Alabama 71-54

MONROE, La. -- Jayon James scored 19 points to lead Louisiana-Monroe to a 71-54 win over South Alabama on Thursday night.

ULM (9-14, 6-9 Sun Belt Conference) took control in the second half with a 10-3 run capped by a Tylor Ongwae layup that made it 45-36 with 16:07 to go, and then closed out the game with an 11-4 run to clinch the win.

Chinedu Amajoyi contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, Nick Coppola had 11 points, and Marvin Williams and Ongwae had 10 points apiece for the Warhawks, who shot 51 percent from the field in snapping a two-game skid. Ongwae also had nine rebounds.

South Alabama (9-19, 3-12) trailed just 35-33 at the break but couldn't keep pace in the second half.